With there being almost 900 Pokemon currently implemented into the Pokemon games, there are many that have plenty of lore and development trivia behind them. One of these Pokemon is Darumaka and its evolution, Darmanitan. Both Darumaka and Darmanitan originally appeared in the Pokemon series' fifth generation games, Pokemon Black and Pokemon White. They additionally got regional forms for the Galar region with the release of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.
While both forms have base similarities, they each additionally have their own development history and impact on the world of Pokemon. Both forms of Darumaka and Darmanitan are available in the current Pokemon generation and can be uploaded onto Pokemon Home. These forms are additionally available in Pokemon GO with shiny Darumaka being recently implemented into the game.
Darumaka's Creation
Darumaka was originally designed by Mana Ibe, a graphic designer first credited in the special thanks section of Pokemon Platinum's credits. For Pokemon Black and White however, she designed a multitude of Pokemon other than Darumaka. This includes Victini, Herdier, the Frillish line, and the Axew line, among others.
Like many Pokemon, Darumaka's design has ties to the real-world. In its case, Darumaka is based on a traditional Japanese Daruma doll. These dolls are symbols of good luck and are used in the modern day as a way to set and complete goals. This is done by drawing in one of the doll's eyes when one sets a goal and drawing in the other eye after completing it. This further ties into Darumaka's Fire-typing, with the traditional Daruma burning ceremony where Daruma dolls purchased during the year are brought back to the temple they were purchased at so that they may be burned. This is to show gratitude for them, and so that people can purchase another Daruma doll for another goal.
While less obvious than the connection to the Daruma doll, the second part of Darumaka's name is likely a connection to the Pokemon's monkey-like appearance. The "maka" in Darumaka is often seen being a connection to the real-world animal, the macaque. These primates can be found in a multitude of places around the world, including Japan. Considering that Darumaka's name hasn't changed during English localization, this connection seems likely. However, it could also be a pun on the Japanese word makka, which means crimson.
The Galarian form for Darumaka has a few more design influences that are worth looking into. It is obviously based on a snowman, but a special detail with this is connected to the Japanese name for snowman, which is "yuki-daruma". This further connects Darumaka's name to its theming despite no longer having a form close to that of a daruma doll.
Darumaka in the Pokedex
While Darumaka isn't a Pokemon majorly important to any main game stories, the Pokedex still has plenty of information on how this Pokemon act in the wild and how it interacts with humans. According to its various entries, Darumaka has a flame inside it that keeps up its energy. When the flame starts to go out, Darumaka goes to sleep. The temperature of its flame during this state is 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit/600 degrees Celsius. Additionally, Darumaka will never fall over in its sleep, as it just curl its limbs into its own body instead,
One of the most infamous facts involving Darumaka has to do with its fecal matter. According to the Pokedex throughout multiple games and entries, Darumaka's droppings are very hot. While not strange considering its Fire-typing, what is strange is the additional fact of people collecting these droppings and putting them in clothes in order to keep warm. This has never actually been shown, but it stands out compared to other facts.
Galarian Darumaka has significantly less to go off of with Pokedex entries due to it only having two at this time. These entries, however, state that Galarian Darumaka's forms are directly adapted from their original Unovan forms. The cold weather apparently completely cooled off the fire sacks of the Darumaka and caused them to atrophy. Instead of killing them, they instead developed a new organ that runs off cold temperatures instead. The colder these Pokemon get, the more energy they get. Galarian Darumaka additionally use their new abilities to create snowballs for playful snowball fights. There are no entries referencing their droppings yet, though.
Darumaka in the Pokemon Anime
The first time Darumaka had a major appearance in the Pokemon anime was in episode eight of the Black and White series named "Saving Darmanitan from the Bell". One steals food from Ash and his friends after using Flamethrower on Iris's face. The lore relating it to good luck like the real world Daruma doll is also shared. Another Darumaka ends up appearing, helping the original Darumaka get away with the stolen food.
According to Nurse Joy, the two Darumaka used to be friendly with the town alongside a Darmanitan. However, the Darmanitan stopped appearing, and the Darumaka began to steal food from the town which caused trouble for the locals. Ash and his friends eventually track the two Darumaka to a clock tower where they find the Darmanitan in Zen Mode. They discover that the Darmanitan has been using this form to protect the clock tower, and the Darumaka have been stealing food so it doesn't starve in its Zen Mode.
With Ash and friends fully aware of the situation, they, their Pokemon, the Darumaka, and Darmanitan properly repair the clock tower so Darmanitan can finally leave. The three Pokemon are then able to live peacefully in the clock tower once again and wave goodbye to Ash's group as they head off the Nacrene City.
Darumaka additionally made notable appearances in the 22nd Pikachu short that was never aired in the United States, the 105th episode of the Black and White anime, and the 129th episode of the Black and White anime. There have also been many Darumaka that have appeared in the background belonging to other trainers throughout the Black and White anime. Galarian Darumaka has yet to make any appearance in the Pokemon anime or in any of the shorts, though.
Source: Bulbapedia